Inspired ice cream
A former chartered surveyor from Sheffield in the UK has won the backing of Dragons’ Den for her unique East Asian inspired ice cream and sorbet.
Made in Sheffield by Yee and her team it’s hoped Yee Kwan will become the taste of summer. Yee pitched her business to the Dragons’ Den team and successfully secured a £50,000 investment from entrepreneur and BBC Dragon Deborah Meaden in return for a 30 per cent share of her business.
Kwan says: “I was absolutely delighted when Deborah said she liked my ice creams and even happier when she said she would invest in the business. She is such an inspiration, the money will help us purchase new capital equipment and
grow the business quicker so we can get more of our lovely ice cream to consumers around the UK, but more importantly Deborah’s guidance will take us to another level. It’s a dream come true!”
Kwan was inspired to create her award winning natural ice creams after a trip around Australasia with husband Anthony. After having her eldest son, she was made redundant from her job as a surveyor and decided to set up her own business to pursue her passion for ice creams inspired by the flavours of the Far East.
Kwan produces a range of 20 ice creams and sorbets in her SALSA accredited ice cream factory. The exotic and innovative flavours are ideally suited to East Asian cuisine and are already being sold in premium food stores Harvey Nichols, Wholefoods Market and restaurants around the UK. Favourites include bestseller Green Tea, Great Taste Award winner Lychee & Rose Sorbet, Black Sesame Seed, Lychee and Kwan’s favourite Lime & Lemongrass.